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Flight Attendant

Flight attendants make sure passengers and crew are safe on flights. They offer a variety of services to make flights as pleasant as possible. They also work with other crew members to help passengers in emergencies.

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

Interest in comparing information to check the general condition of the aircraft cabin and to ensure that all necessary supplies are on board

SOCIAL

Interest in assisting passengers and attending to their safety during take-offs, landings and emergencies

objective

Interest in handling equipment to serve food and beverages and make flight announcements

Reading Interest Codes

A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.

After landing, flight attendants help passengers leave the plane safely. They tidy the cabin and check for things left behind.

The lead flight attendant is sometimes called the purser. The purser usually submits the flight paperwork.

Flight attendants may spend up to half of their working hours:

getting the cabin ready for flight

writing reports

doing related work on the ground.

Working Conditions

Updated Mar 31, 2018

Flight attendants work in a confined space. It can be noisy and physically demanding. Flight attendants spend most of a flight on their feet. They move heavy galley equipment. They may be exposed to dangerous situations. Working with a cold may hurt their ears.

Work hours are irregular. Shifts can be long. Some work days last up to 14 hours. Flight attendants may be away from home for quite a while. They may have short layover times at home and then go back to work. Often there can be jet lag from going through different time zones.

Strength Required
Lift over 20 kg

Skills & Abilities

Updated Mar 31, 2018

Flight attendants need to possess:

poise

good grooming

tact

energy

adaptability

resourcefulness

a safety-conscious attitude

a customer-service approach

the ability to work well on a team

cultural awareness.

They should enjoy having clear guidelines for their work and handling equipment. They should like helping people.

Educational Requirements

Updated Mar 31, 2018

Hiring requirements vary from one airline to another, but certain basics are common. In general, to be employed by an airline in Canada, flight attendants must:

have a valid Canadian passport

be in good physical health (they may have to pass medical and eyesight exams)

have a high school diploma (or equivalent)

have previous full-time experience in a job involving public contact (related post-secondary education is helpful)

be fluent in English

be willing and able to move to any of the airline’s bases

be able to obtain and maintain a restricted area pass (for security).

Some airlines require fluency in French or another language. This depends on the route. If passengers on a route tend to speak a certain language, flight attendants should too.

Airlines provide 2 to 8 weeks of training. Training covers a wide range of subjects, including safety and emergency procedures. Flight attendants are trained to fight fires. They also need first aid and other skills. After training, flight attendants are assigned to one of the airline’s bases. They need to take training updates every year.

Private vocational schools may offer pre-employment, in-flight training programs. Before enrolling, it is a good idea to discuss training options with potential employers.

Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.

Employment & Advancement

Updated Mar 31, 2018

When flight attendants are first hired, they complete their training. Some are assigned a monthly schedule. New flight attendants are often placed in casual positions. Some are put on reserve duty. This means they are on call 24 hours a day except on free days. They may have 10 or more days free of duty each month.

As flight attendants gain seniority, they are given a schedule for a month in advance. Seniority determines:

monthly schedules

vacations

choice of home base.

Flight attendants may advance to become a supervisor, such as a purser. Other advances include:

passenger director

flight service director

training instructor.

Competition for senior positions is strong.

Flight attendants are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6522: Pursers and flight attendants. In Alberta, 95% of people employed in this classification work in the Transportation and Warehousing [pdf] industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the Transportation and Warehousing industry)

location in Alberta

employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)

occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)

size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary

Updated Mar 31, 2018

Flight attendant trainees are paid a training salary. They may also be repaid for accommodation expenses.

Wages increase with experience. Attendants on overseas flights are paid more than those on domestic flights. Large carriers generally pay more than regional or charter carriers. Some flight attendants work part time at other jobs to add to their incomes.

Accommodation and expenses during stops away from home are usually paid. Not all airlines pay flight attendants for their non-flying time. Some may pay a per diem plus salary to help with the costs of overnight stays. Flight attendants usually get discounts on personal travel.

Related High School Subjects

Health, Recreation and Human Services

Tourism

Languages (other than English)

Related Post-Secondary Field of Study

Aviation

Personal and Food Services

Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.